About the Chamber

We are a strong collection of businesses behind a single pursuit: a better Northland. To that end, your Chamber provides member advocacy, education resources, and networking opportunities to help businesses grow and thrive in our area.

The mission of the Hermantown Area Chamber of Commerce is to promote the business community and enhance opportunities for success.  We help businesses succeed in the Northland.  We work to create a business climate that attracts new investments and enhances growth and expansion opportunities for existing companies.

Our vision is to promote a strong and growing regional business climate to enhance the vitality of the communities we serve.

Chamber History

On August 7th, 1980 Gerald Carlson, Kendall Carlson, Everil Mercil, Ervin “Bud” Ellefson, and Roger Carlson executed the articles of incorporation forming the Hermantown Chamber of Commerce.  They were a group of area business leaders who took the initiative to set up a local Chamber to promote businesses within the community.  Since their lead, the Chamber has continued to help promote business development in the Hermantown area.

The State of Minnesota filed the articles on September 22, 1980.

When the Chamber first began, there wasn’t a dedicated office space and Board meetings were often held at local restaurants. In February 1990, the Chamber found its first home at the City Hall Building which was then located at 5255 Maple Grove Road and now houses the Hermantown Historical Society. The Chamber has had offices in other locations over the years but has been located in Hermantown Square since 2007, with a welcoming reception area, two staff offices, and a large conference room.

We’ve grown to become the Hermantown AREA Chamber of Commerce, with over 250 members in Hermantown, Duluth, Proctor, Rice Lake, Pike Lake, and surrounding townships, as well as a handful of members in Cloquet, the Iron Range, Superior, and the Twin Cities.  The Hermantown Area Chamber of Commerce is led by President & CEO Kimberly Parmeter and a 20 member board of directors.